When to Seek Care (Red Flags)
Get medical help urgently (same day / urgent care / emergency) if you have any of the following:
- Shortness of breath, swelling of lips/face/tongue, or trouble swallowing
- Rapidly spreading hives with dizziness or faintness
- Fever plus a worsening rash
- Severe pain, blistering, or rash near eyes
- Signs of skin infection from scratching: increasing redness, warmth, pus, or red streaks
See a clinician soon (next 24–72 hours) if:
- The itch is intense and keeping you from sleeping
- The rash is spreading day by day
- Multiple household/close contacts are developing similar symptoms
- You suspect scabies or bed bugs and need confirmation/treatment guidance
Practical Next Steps (What Most People Should Do First)
- Take clear photos of the rash in good light (helpful for a clinician).
- Message the parent: timeline, where the child had been, and that you also developed symptoms.
- Wash/dry bedding and worn clothing on hot if you can.
- Track whether new spots appear overnight (pattern matters).
You’re not overreacting. “New itchy spots on two people after a visit” is exactly the kind of situation where a quick, structured response beats guessing.
And the biggest mistake people make? Treating the symptom while missing the source.
